FAZZINO CASE: Husband Charged With Murder

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The husband of a Boone woman found dead in her bathroom has been arrested and charged with her murder.

Thirty-two-year-old Emily Fazzino died January 29th, 2012. Her husband, Alexander Fazzino called 911 claiming someone was trying to drown themselves in the tub. When emergency responders arrived they were unable to revive Emily Fazzino.

Alexander Fazzino was arrested in Kansas City Sunday.

During the investigation, Fazzino told detectives his wife was addicted to pain medication and admitted Emily had filed divorce papers about a week before her death.

An autopsy by the Iowa State Medical Examiner showed Emily died of undetermined causes, but noted she had several areas of trauma on her neck, throat, and the sides and front of her head.

After reviewing the autopsy findings, a forensic pathology expert concluded Emily Fazzino died of asphyxia due to neck compressions and/or drowning and said her death was a homicide.

Her family issued this statement following the autopsy: “The state medical examiner informed us that when Emily died, her body was drug-free. More importantly though, Emily did not commit suicide and she did not die of natural causes. As a result, we understand that the only possible causes of death are accident or homicide.”

Unsealed warrants show Alexander Fazzino told investigators $200,000 was deposited into the couple’s account and then withdrawn just a few days later and he didn’t know where the money came from or where it went.

Alexander Fazzino is being held on a bond of $1.5 million. He is expected to be extradited to Iowa to stand trial on the first degree murder charge.

His attorney in Des Moines says neither he nor his client understands what has changed to lead to this arrest. "The autopsy was consistent with her drowning and consistent with the fact that it was not a homicide. So both of us were shocked that suddenly he's been accused of first degree murder."

Kutmus says he hasn't read the new autopsy report, but he plans to fight it and fight for his client.